James Erskine and his family run Jauma Farm on Peramangk country in Lenswood, a certified organic property growing cherries, grapevines, apples, pears and veggies.
As a natural winemaker and farmer, Erskine’s favourite topics to explore include enhancing soil life, activating water use efficiency and disease resistance proteins, soil/plant health, farming on unceded Aboriginal land, compaction, activated aerated compost teas, co-cropping vs cover cropping, and no-till systems.
In 2008 Erskine topped the Australian International Court of Master Sommeliers exams. In 2009 he was voted Gourmet Traveller Australian Sommelier of the Year and received the Negociants Working with Wine Fellowship.
He has also completed an honours degree in agricultural science through the University of Adelaide and University of California Davis, specialising in soil chemistry.
